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tinyerwin
Joined: 13 Nov 2008
Posts: 12
Location: australia
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 Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:09 am Post subject: Qualifications?????? Muddy water for newbies!!!! |
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Like a lot of people new to the world of ESL the required qualifications and 'valid' courses is TOO confusing.
I have spent hours here and on other sites and am still in the dark as to whether the course I have already done and/or want to do will help with employment as an ESL teacher. I mean no disrespect to anyone,however forums seem to contain a lot of disgruntled people with an axe to grind against either training schools or teaching schools and make it VERY hard for newbies to work out which path to follow.
At 55 years old and always worked, the only 'diploma' I have is from the 'school of hard knocks' and all that qualifies me for is a built in respect for others and the ability to do something and do it well.......not much of a qualification in real life...
Learning TESOL has been a new experience and something that I have had great pleasure sinking my teeth into and want for the few remaining working years left make it a career as short as it may last.
I have completed Cert 3 with Teach International and thoughly enjoyed the course,and am considering continual study with them and complete Cert 4. However the diploma issue arises again and at my age time is the essence. A long term diploma course or a short online course ??
I have considered doing a short term course,"TESOL advanced diploma" with ATA Aust. I have been informed that they have connections with schools in Vietnam ( can anyone help here?? ), however wonder about the value of this diploma within the industry ( ?? help )
I do realize that the old school ESL teachers have probably had a gut full of newbies asking the same thing BUT you started somewhere,sometime and probably asked the same questions.
It would be nice to see more people in forums offering relevant advice and believe me some do offer great and entertaining advice, and some spend more time slinging s#*t at each other than discussing issues that effect those in or entering the industry.
ANY sensible advice is GOOD advice and taken with many thanks... |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:25 am Post subject: Re: Qualifications?????? Muddy water for newbies!!!! |
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| tinyerwin wrote: |
Like a lot of people new to the world of ESL the required qualifications and 'valid' courses is TOO confusing. |
At the risk of sounding disgruntled, have you picked a country or countries? Narrowing down the field will cut out some of your frustrations on this topic.
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| I have spent hours here and on other sites and am still in the dark as to whether the course I have already done and/or want to do will help with employment as an ESL teacher. I mean no disrespect to anyone,however forums seem to contain a lot of disgruntled people with an axe to grind against either training schools or teaching schools and make it VERY hard for newbies to work out which path to follow. |
What path are you hoping for? Help us to help you.
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| At 55 years old and always worked, the only 'diploma' I have is from the 'school of hard knocks' and all that qualifies me for is a built in respect for others and the ability to do something and do it well.......not much of a qualification in real life... |
And, not much help in (probably) most countries, who pretty much seem to want at least a bachelor's degree, if not for the teaching job itself but at the minimum for the work visa. Some countries will allow you to substitute related work experience (in Japan is is 3 years' worth) for the degree. Sometimes it is a combination of studying and work experience.
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A long term diploma course or a short online course ?? |
Up to you and (maybe) the country(ies) you choose.
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| It would be nice to see more people in forums offering relevant advice |
Relevant to what? You have not mentioned a country until just now, but even so, you seem to be shotgunning your approach. General questions get general answers.
Want sensible advice on Japan? Come to the Japan forum. I'll be there, or glad to help in any PM. Been doing it for a decade now. |
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tinyerwin
Joined: 13 Nov 2008
Posts: 12
Location: australia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:39 am Post subject: qualifications |
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Thank you for reply...and yes I will PM you...
Sorry for sounding confused but suffering from SOL at the moment due to confusion and really starting to wonder if all the heart ache is worthwhile.
I think that my main issue is that with newbies like myself who are heading or reached the 'grey years' and with no formal academic education, or teaching back ground but have a burning desire to get into TESOL our choices and options and time are limited.
My ambitions are ,being x aust army and experienced in teaching adults due to service, I would love to teach military/police or adults and corporate.....shoot a bit high dont I??? aim for the top I always say...gives you further to fall...lol
Where would I like to teach? anywhere but would prefer Vietnam.
No matter where I go I need/want to teach full time as I still have commitments back here.
As I mentioned,I am 55 and with no formal academic education.
I have completed Cert 3 and now need to decide which path to take..
Do I complete Cert 4?.....what job oportunities will this qualification open
Do I take a short cut diploma?... ATA Aust offer an 'advanced TESOL diploma' which they claim is recognised.....how can I check?
Which you be more advantagious.....Cert 4 and on the job CELTA,
or ATA diploma and on the job CELTA?
I do realize that some readers who may be "younger" and more educated may feel that I am looking for an easy way into the industry, well sorry but yes maybe I am, but please remember you have many more years to enjoy this work that I do and will hold the cream of the jobs. I had never heard of TESOl or ESL until last year,wish I had and would have re-educated myself. |
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MajorMajor
Joined: 09 Mar 2009
Posts: 9
Location: Praha
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 2:51 am Post subject: |
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| if you have a degree then just go to Asia and teach |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:05 am Post subject: |
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MajorMajor,
It appears that he doesn't have a degree. |
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mackayscanland
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 39
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject: Same boat! |
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I have 2 state contractors licenses, an AOS degree(do you want fries with that), EMT certification, 30 credits at a J.C, and private business education with certs.
I thought about getting one of those degrees from Redding University or Belford University, the end justifies the means attitude, but figured they probably already know about these degrees and their accreditation issues.
I do wish to teach abroad and was looking at Ukraine or Russia( I just got back from there after a 2 week trip ), seems they want that Bachelor's degree that has eluded me! Do they know about Redding or Belford?
I am 46, divorced, and would like to travel a bit. I have decided to get back on the 30 year Bachelor's program!
Until then, all help with my endeavor is appreciated!
Thanks, Mackay |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
MajorMajor,
It appears that he doesn't have a degree.
I've known NZ babyfaces with only a HS diploma teaching in Japan on a WHV. Unless, they've changed the bloody rules, he doesn't require a tertiary degree. 
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NCTBA |
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mackayscanland
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 39
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject: ? |
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After looking up the acronyms(I found them!), I'm still not sure HE is! Is Japan my only option?
Remember this is a newbie forum,LOL! |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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| I have 2 state contractors licenses, an AOS degree(do you want fries with that), EMT certification, 30 credits at a J.C, and private business education with certs. |
You can work in Taiwan with an Associates degree and a TEFL certificate. Check out the Taiwan forum. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I do realize that some readers who may be "younger" and more educated may feel that I am looking for an easy way into the industry, well sorry but yes maybe I am, but please remember you have many more years to enjoy this work that I do and will hold the cream of the jobs. I had never heard of TESOl or ESL until last year,wish I had and would have re-educated myself. |
OK, I will bite. I am 29 and could care less whether you are looking for an easy way into the industry. The simple facts are, getting a job in China, Vietnam, etc would probably be no problem. Even without a degree. The real problem is how will you stay in the country to work. Most governments require a B.A./B.S. to get a visa.
I may be wrong but you are only likely to be offered a one month tourist visa to enter Vietnam. Say you get a job. Then what? How will you stay in Vietnam? |
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Chancellor
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 1337
Location: Ji'an, China - if you're willing to send me cigars, I accept donations :)
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| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Tinyerwin, go get your degree. You'll be glad in the long run that you did. I'm 45 and I did what you probably did: went to work right after high school instead of going to college (I joined the Navy). I did actually start going to college a little over 20 years ago but am only now finishing it up because of my work schedule and other things that went on in my life over the years. |
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mackayscanland
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 39
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 12:10 am Post subject: Accreditation? |
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I can get get a Bachelor's degree from Glendale University. It's accredited through NDLAC. Same accreditation that all University of California schools have, as well as , Stanford, Purdue, University of Phoenix, Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan system, ect. have accreditations through. Will this suffice most employers for the Bachelor's requirement?  |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:23 am Post subject: |
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The safest bet is to contact the country that you are planing to go to and ask them.
Secondly if that school is approved for federal grants and loans in the United States I can't imagine that you will have a problem in the future. I believe that most countries that have been giving visas to foreigners have a list of schools that have been approved. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:27 am Post subject: |
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| mackayscanland, couldn't you just attend one of the State schools in California? I think they are relatively cheap. |
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JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:33 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I can get get a Bachelor's degree from Glendale University. It's accredited through NDLAC. Same accreditation that all University of California schools have, as well as , Stanford, Purdue, University of Phoenix, Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan system, ect. have accreditations through. Will this suffice most employers for the Bachelor's requirement? |
If you are single just go back to school. You could apply for student loans, work evening, weekends, etc. Many people work their way through school. It just depends how bad you want it. |
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